Jacó Happenings

Halloween weekend fun begins today in Jacó with happy hour specials at Los Amigos and Canciones del Mar. Later on, Tabacón Bar will feature live music, and Plankton’s Halloween party will be held in the center of town. Tomorrow, Oct. 30, check out local favorite Los Chupacabras at the Hotel Oz Bar or Latino Band at Clarita’s on the beach.

With Halloween falling on Sunday, the big football games take precedence over trick-or-treating, and Football Sunday will be in full swing at Los Amigos, Clarita’s, the SkyBar at Poseidon and Jaco Taco. Afterward, take the kids trick-or-treating out at Los Sueños in Herradura, at the Hook Up in the marina, for the ghost-and-goblin smoke show beginning at 7 p.m. Later on, the place to be is the Backyard in Playa Hermosa for “Nightmare on the Beach.” Also, this is the last weekend to take advantage of Locals Appreciation Month at Hotel Poseidon on Calle Bohío, where two-for-one dinner entrées are being served from 5 to 10 p.m.

There’s a new place to pay your bills in Jacó, at the Red Cross toward the southern end of town on the main strip. You can pay public utilities including water, electric and Cable Tica, as well as municipal services. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information, contact Cristian Rodríguez at 2643-5090 or crodriguezm 1973@gmail.com.

Liana Robinson is organizing the first essay contest for the Pro Library Jacó group. Titled “Improve Garabito for Future Generations,” the contest is open to public school students in Garabito. One entry is allowed per participant, and must be submitted with full name, phone number and name of school by Dec. 10. Essay topics are: how to improve conservation of natural resources (animals, land, sea); how to improve our community (ideas for recycling, development of tourist attractions, community service projects, etc.); or choose a free topic. The contest will have categories for elementary school students (300 words or more) and high school students (450 words or more). The three best works from each of these categories will be awarded prizes donated by local businesses. For more information, e-mail cornerstonesfoundation@gmail.com or call Liana at 2643-7100 or Selena at 8338-8122.

Peter Van Hussen of Canciones del Mar Hotel has joined efforts to help the national wildlife refuge in Playa Hermosa. For every room rented in his hotel, $1 will be donated to the refuge. If you own a business in Garabito and want to participate in this program, contact the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce at 2643-2853.